13451. (photo) Crew of R.N.L.I. Life Boat Mary Stanford Heads Out for Fatal Rescue Attempt c.1928. Rare early photo provides a rare view as the lifeboat crew pulls the R.N.L.I. lifeboat from the station. All of the men shown here would lose their lives while trying to save the crew of the vessel Alice of Riga. RNLB Mary Stanford (ON 661) was a Liverpool-class lifeboat. The Lifeboat was launched in a south-west gale with heavy rain squalls and heavy seas to the vessel Alice. News was received that the crew of the Alice had been rescued by another vessel and the recall signal was fired three times. Apparently the crew of the Lifeboat had not seen it. As the Lifeboat was coming into harbour she was seen to capsize and the whole of the 17-man crew perished. The Board of Trade Court of Enquiry later concluded: “As there were no survivors of the crew, the cause of the Lifeboat capsizing is a matter of conjecture, but from the evidence available we are of the opinion that whilst attempting to make the Harbour on a strong flood tide and in high and dangerous breaking sea, she was suddenly capsized and the crew were thrown into the water, two men being entangled under the boat. The broken water and heavy surf caused the loss of the crew”. Every family in the little fishing village lost one or more members in the disaster, practically the whole male fishing population of the small town of Rye. Photo measures 8” x 10” and is clear and close. Some edge wear, has been retouched in places for publication. Dated for publication December 6, 1928. (VG). $38.